I would add that while I don't love what does seem to be a little bit of a backstab by vlade to boogie, I think he was also doing his best to play both sides when building a relationship with DMC on the fairly decent chance that they would be locked into a long term marriage. I think it was a vlade quote in the bee yesterday where he said at some point he had to look out for the best interests of the organization and not the agents (and by extension....boogie). Vlade had a rep as a player as being a great leader; however I'm guessing even in his playing days he pushed team chemistry and brotherhood even in situations where he wasn't enamoured with his teammates. He seems like a great guy but there has to be some amount of act in all that.
Vivek's continued involvement should worry everybody...
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It is almost as if trading Cuz was Vlade's plan all along. If so, he has bigger cuevos than I. I don't like the deception but Vlade may have finally removed Vivek's hand from up his rear, the hand puppet operator, and put his career on the line. I also respect Vivek (gag!) for letting Vlade do what he wished although as people are insinuating, Vivek may have wanted Heald and was more than happy to give up Cuz. I also respect that Vlade came to the people and said he passed up a better deal.
As much as I thought it was absolute idiocy to even consider losing Cuz, I'll give this a few year's chance. Do I have an option?
As much as I thought it was absolute idiocy to even consider losing Cuz, I'll give this a few year's chance. Do I have an option?
I only saw what I saw from the TV. Could he have been enjoying it like the rest of us? Could there be relief that it wasn't blowing up in his face? Both and more? He did put his name and integrity on the line. I would like to think the better of him than to think it was gloating.
If Papa WAS a contingency plan or worse, got to give the man credit for having balls. Wouldn't want to play poker with him. (and still think he did wrong with the character slam)
If Papa WAS a contingency plan or worse, got to give the man credit for having balls. Wouldn't want to play poker with him. (and still think he did wrong with the character slam)
both and more... sure. I wouldn't call it gloating per se, but you had to be there... maybe if Sign Lady or her husband are on here they would vouch. Vlade was fielding congratulations from his teammates and some of the ballplayers too.
Also ran into Matina K in Lexus Lounge and she was gracious to chat a little. She just said "we felt like it was time, and you never know how it's going to work out, but thanks". She's so nice. And she and Vlade seem to be tight.
Actually one takeaway is that the team of Granger, Matina, Vlade seem very very tight - which you like to see. The owner and coach aren't 'yucking it up with them' so conspicuously, but they all give the appearance of liking and respecting one another.
Also ran into Matina K in Lexus Lounge and she was gracious to chat a little. She just said "we felt like it was time, and you never know how it's going to work out, but thanks". She's so nice. And she and Vlade seem to be tight.
Actually one takeaway is that the team of Granger, Matina, Vlade seem very very tight - which you like to see. The owner and coach aren't 'yucking it up with them' so conspicuously, but they all give the appearance of liking and respecting one another.
I don't think vivek has:
A) the knowledge to actually commit us to a plan that will take us forward
B) the willingness to accept this and leave us to be run by professionals with expertise
C) the money to commit to building a solid roster - he bought the kings for 350 mill and baulked at signing cousins for 200 mill over 5 years. He is not rich by NBA owner standards and NBA salary's are on the rise
D) his obsession with the warriors and their style has blinded him and we have lost years because of it. I don't have faith in Vivek what so ever to build a sustainable winning team.
Given this, overall, I'm here for the city and the players who represent it. We can't win with vivek and he will not change.
A) the knowledge to actually commit us to a plan that will take us forward
B) the willingness to accept this and leave us to be run by professionals with expertise
C) the money to commit to building a solid roster - he bought the kings for 350 mill and baulked at signing cousins for 200 mill over 5 years. He is not rich by NBA owner standards and NBA salary's are on the rise
D) his obsession with the warriors and their style has blinded him and we have lost years because of it. I don't have faith in Vivek what so ever to build a sustainable winning team.
Given this, overall, I'm here for the city and the players who represent it. We can't win with vivek and he will not change.
I respect your opinions, but I'm simply not buying this observation.
I think there is another explanation for it -
He was forced to trade Cuz and jump on the grenade by Vivek, which exposed his disastrous contradictory 76ers trade and obliterated his NBA career (post-Kings), and he was simply excited at the prospect that his career may not be over if the team resurrected themselves and played above their heads the rest of the season.
I think there is another explanation for it -
He was forced to trade Cuz and jump on the grenade by Vivek, which exposed his disastrous contradictory 76ers trade and obliterated his NBA career (post-Kings), and he was simply excited at the prospect that his career may not be over if the team resurrected themselves and played above their heads the rest of the season.
Very interesting comment, considering word around the old water cooler is that Matina K (the Chief Operating Officer for the Kings) is actually the puppet master, the one who truly has Vivek's ear...
As far as Vlade goes, I think what we saw most of all was relief that the drama, for good or bad, is over. DMC isn't his problem any longer.
As far as Vlade goes, I think what we saw most of all was relief that the drama, for good or bad, is over. DMC isn't his problem any longer.
What is Viveks cash cow now that he is out of the software business? Maybe the 200 million was too much for him to handle financially?
I really hope the guise of a "rebuild" isn't being used to shed salary and produce some savings, we have been through that BS before.
Ill give him the benefit of the doubt until the rookie extensions come due though.
I really hope the guise of a "rebuild" isn't being used to shed salary and produce some savings, we have been through that BS before.
Ill give him the benefit of the doubt until the rookie extensions come due though.
Most of the Vets Vlade signed were on one year deals or two year deals with easy 2nd season options. Imagine if the Kings were stuck with Wes Matthews on a huge deal....ouch! I did not see any of this coming and was firmly in the "build around Boogie" camp. But in hindsight it is all so obvious and I am sure people were pointing it out and I was like not seeing it.
The extent of who is executing thier vision ( please someone at least have a plan ) may never be fully known. I do not like the thought of Vivek imposing his will on the BB side of things.
On the trade: I think it was a litle from many columns. Vlade may have initialy been about building around DMC but at sometime had a change of heart. Vivek likely laid it out in a "Buddy or we keep Cuz" manner and with Boogies agent burning options to ensure a bigger payday, Vlade was left with the trade we got. Making him look less than stellar which tells me he felt strongly about cutting ties with Demarcus.
I dont see money being an issue moving forward with Vivek. I cant look it up currently but somewhere it is written the new tv revenues will only now be flowing into the Kings coffers as part of the arena deal. Meaning they now have more to play with than the last few years.
All I can say is it has not been ideal. We once again find ourselves in uncertain times. However for better or worse it will at least be differen
On the trade: I think it was a litle from many columns. Vlade may have initialy been about building around DMC but at sometime had a change of heart. Vivek likely laid it out in a "Buddy or we keep Cuz" manner and with Boogies agent burning options to ensure a bigger payday, Vlade was left with the trade we got. Making him look less than stellar which tells me he felt strongly about cutting ties with Demarcus.
I dont see money being an issue moving forward with Vivek. I cant look it up currently but somewhere it is written the new tv revenues will only now be flowing into the Kings coffers as part of the arena deal. Meaning they now have more to play with than the last few years.
All I can say is it has not been ideal. We once again find ourselves in uncertain times. However for better or worse it will at least be differen
Kevin Arnovitz's long ESPN piece on Boogie and the Kings spent a couple paragraphs on her. Here's one of them:
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...emarcus-cousins-sacramento-kings-real-problem
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...emarcus-cousins-sacramento-kings-real-problem